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Montana Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee

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on January 11, 2016 at 2:48:27 pm
 

 

 

   This committee's purpose is to create awareness among librarians of their responsibility to promote freedom of access to information in all types of libraries and to assist any library, library worker, library trustee, or friend of the library besieged by individuals or groups attempting to interfere with the right-to-read.

 

    The committee shall reassure librarians, trustees, and friends of the library that they will receive support from the committee should the principles of the right-to-read be violated.

 

   It should submit proposals of the committee pertinent to meeting these responsibilities to the Board of Directors and report censorship incidents to the President and the Intellectual Freedom Office of the American Library Association.

 

    In coordination with the Awards and Honors Committee and in compliance with the Guidelines of Awards and Honors (Appendix 2) of the MLA handbook, this committee may solicit nominations and select recipients for an Intellectual Freedom Award to be presented at the annual conference.


 

                                              “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,

                                     or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”   - First Amendment of the Bill of rights of the U.S. Constitution

 

What is intellectual freedom and why is it important?

“Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.  Intellectual freedom is the basis for our democratic system. We expect our people to be self-governors. But to do so responsibly, our citizenry must be well-informed. Libraries provide the ideas and information, in a variety of formats, to allow people to inform themselves.

Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas.”

-from Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorshipfirstamendmentissues/ifcensorshipqanda

 

How can I be prepared for censorship challenges?

 

What should I do if a challenge occurs?

  • Differentiate between a statement of concern and a formal complaint
  • Provide supporting reviews for the materials in question
  • Explain policy and procedures for reconsideration
  • Provide necessary forms, if available
  • Report the challenge to MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)
  • Report the resolution of the challenge to the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee 

 

What should we do if a challenge reaches the public hearing stage?

  • Employ a neutral facilitator to manage the proceedings
  • Let people have their say
  • Be prepared to deal with the press
  • Remember that the ultimate decision about retention of items rests with the District Superintendent or Library Board
  • Report the resolution of the challenge to the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee 

 

Why is it important to report censorship challenges?

  • Censorship challenges are stressful and can be damaging to staff morale and the library’s reputation.  Sharing your experience with challenges and resolutions provides help and moral support to other librarians that encounter censorship attempts.

 

Where can I go for help with challenges?

 

How does the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee help?

  • Maintains regular communications with, and offers assistance to librarian until resolution
  • Provides documentation and supporting materials for censorship challenges 
  • Reports to MLA Board and membership on the status of the challenge
  • Reports on resolution of the challenge to MLA Board & membership and ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
  • Adds information about challenge to website (wiki)
  • Sends documents pertaining information about challenge to MLA Executive Director who will forward for archiving at the Montana Historical Society


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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